I was really looking forward to this part of our day.

I’d heard wonderful things about the history filled building and couldn’t wait to start exploring.

But first, we saw this –

Clearly it was FDR and Churchill…

But these were intriguing.

It seems every Presidential library has been given pieces of the Berlin Wall, and Churchill’s granddaughter designed these.

Onward…

FDR was a bit of an amateur architect and sketched designs for this Dutch Colonial building of local stone in 1937.

Open to the public in 1941, it’s seen numerous expansions over the decades.

The day we visited, the rotating exhibit was The Art Of War.

Room after room of wonderful propaganda posters, War Bond ads and dire warnings.

My inner history geek was ecstatic.

Norman Rockwell’s famous series was there.

As was Dr. Seuss….

And Walt Disney.

Santa looked a wee bit perturbed.

And women were encouraged to do their part.

Which included going postal on some bugs.

And saving kitchen grease.

There were hundreds of fabulous posters I won’t bore you with, including one of two originals I have in my closet and keep meaning to get framed.

But being an avid reader….

I think this was my favorite.

True then.

True now.

After touring Springwood, we found FDR’s grave.

It’s a solemn spot, and must have been lovely in the summer with the surrounding beds of roses and peonies.

To the left are the stables and the greenhouse.

And it’s quite a greenhouse, let me tell you. Back in the day it was all the rage to have potted palm trees in northern climates, so to this day the estate keeps their palm trees in here for the winter.

The stable was a funky looking building.

And I was expecting the interior to be the same.

Alas…

It was just a typical stable.

With, get this….

Horse stuff.

Yeah, who knew?

They did have an old recording of Eleanor’s voice describing how they used to ride the countryside playing throughout…. but the place was filled with tourists and when I tried filming a walk around, all I got was some teenager blabbing about his athletes foot.

Not really.

But I did get a kick out of this horse’s name.

After the stables, we headed over to the Presidential library.

This was the original drive onto the estate.

And this…

Was a big tree.

(Hang in there, only a little more vacation to go.)

I know, you thought we’d never get here.

But here we are… Day 7 of the Berkshire vacation, in which we head to Hyde Park, New York.

Hyde Park is the site of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s home Springwood, as well as his presidential library, Top Cottage and Eleanor’s retreat Val Kill.

Yes, history lovers… it’s another riveting day for you.

We arrived early and elected to tour the famous house first.

Springwood was FDR’s boyhood home, and where he later lived with Eleanor.

The tours are crowded, and quick. You have very little time to wander the house and even less time to try and frame photos without 20 people standing in your way.

The interior was dark….

Heavily wooded and Victorian.

Decorated by FDR’s mother.

Chintz ruled.

It was said Eleanor heartily disliked the look and wanted to remodel after her MIL died but Franklin wouldn’t allow it.

Unable to use the staircase after contracting polio, a lift was installed for FDR.

But not a motorized elevator.  He had to use his arms to pull the rope, and let me tell you… that sucker was heavy!

To be honest, the house was rather unimpressive.

With small, dark cluttered rooms.

But the history always intrigues me.

Along with the personal tidbits.

Poor Eleanor…

Before you could blink, the tour was over and they were herding you out a side door and stairway built specifically for that purpose.

A quick look around the back…

And you were shuffled off to make room for the next batch of tourists.

While I’m glad we saw it, and appreciate the fact that it’s open to the public at all…

It’s not the way I prefer to tour historic sites.